Even more Taiwan pictures

Schmiggle is a trooper in the rain at Longshan Temple.

 At the hot sulfur springs in Shin Beitou.  A Japanese couple took this picture for us!

 On the MRT (light rail/subway) back downtown.  Ariel spreads joy to grandmas on the train.                                                  

Cutest little feet ever at Hotel Eight Zone.

More things we did in Taipei:

• walk through Da'an Park, seeing ducks, turtles, a squirrel, plants, "foot massage path", and fun playground
• ascending Taipei 101 at night (a tall building), and exploring the mall there (with good food court and big bookstore.)  We had Indian food in the food court.  "Taxi tour" back to the hotel.
• foot massages at Thai massage place near hotel
• electronics market and produce market
• breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Ariel liked the congee (rice porridge) mixed with egg & ketchup.
• super spa baths in our room.  The big bathtub had jets, multicolored lights, and would spew out bath salts.  It had a TV, too.  Not too shabby for an inexpensive hotel.

more Taipei

Now some photos from Jeff's camera.  We visited colorful Longshan Temple in the old Wanhua District of Taipei.  Ariel wanted to splash in puddles.  I liked the smell of jasmine flowers everywhere.

We visited a fun cultural center in Wanhua District, where Ariel got lots of attention from the older volunteers there. Then she took a nap.

at the Taiwanese buffet (apparently, these are cheap and plentiful in the city)

I was happy with all the veggie options.

Taiwan adventures

These photos are from my camera, so lots of Ariel and Jeff.  She rode around on Jeff's shoulders through much of the trip.  I enjoyed the break from carrying her and walking with her (she's in a "monkey-leg" phase, which means she'll hold your hand and drag her legs and swing around instead of walking.)

This picture is either from the Botanical Gardens, Da'an Park, or Beitou (a hot spring town) - I'm not sure.

At a restaurant in the old part of town.  It was a buffet with lots of veggies and tofu, too.  Ariel liked the rice, and a bit of pumpkin, tofu, and eggplant.

Jeff at the very hot and acidic sulfur spring in Beitou.  Beitou is about 30 minutes northwest of Taipei.

We enjoyed warm patio dining and conversation at Jacky's Hot Dog Bar by the hot springs.  Jacky  made some amazing hot salsa and vegan quesadillas.  Ariel liked the noodles and her banana.

The friendly staff at Jacky's in Beitou.

Walking up the path along a steaming creek was fun.  Ariel helped by carrying the umbrella.  We visited the Beitou library along the creek.  It was large and designed like a wooden lodge, with solar energy.

Taipei (first day)

The week before Christmas, we vacationed in Taipei, Taiwan.  Ariel had her own seat and used her CARES harness for the first time.  We flew on China Air.  Ariel liked the flight safety card, reading The Three Little Kittens book, watching Dora and playing Sneezies on our iPod Touch.

The weather was drizzly, so Ariel was kind enough to hold our umbrella.

Ariel's Patisserie at a mall by Taipei Station.  The girls behind the counter giggled and hid, after saying hi to Ariel.

We searched for and found Minder Vegetarian, and got dinner to go.  We enjoyed Taiwan Beer and 7-11 snacks for lunch.